Questions On GMO? They’ve Got Answers

GMO food is one of the most controversial issues in modern agriculture. To its supporters, food that contains genetically modified organisms is safe and necessary to feed a hungry world. To its critics, GMO is actively dangerous or, at best, an unproven risk

The supporters recently came out with a new web site, gmoanswers.com., that promises to provide expert answers to submitted questions about GMO and biotechnology. “Be skeptical. Be open. We want to hear from you,” the site says.

More than 100 experts are listed as participants. My very quick scroll through the roster found that most are scientists and farmers. Two are North Dakota farmers: Terry Wanzek from Jamestown and Bart Schott from Kulm.

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s www.nongmoproject.org., which bills itself as “a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices.”

Personally, I think GMO food is safe. I’m not a scientist; I’m not qualified to assess its safety. But there seems to be a fairly strong scientific consensus that GMO food is safe. (I also think that consumers who want to buy non-GMO food, and are willing to pay more for it, should have that option.)

If you haven’t made up your mind yet, study both sides of the issue. The web sites above can help.

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ABOUT

My name is Jonathan Knutson.

I'm a North Dakota farm kid who has spent my career reporting on agriculture and business. I'm a member of North American Agricultural Journalists and currently lead our Midwest region, our biggest in terms of membership.
The photo of the "KNUTSON RD" sign was taken on my family farm. Like me, the sign has been around many years. And like me, the sign, though worn at the edges, is still hanging in there.